Synopsis

The triumphs and failures of middle age as seen through the eyes of runaway American housewife Mary Wilson (Jean Simmons), a woman who believes that ultimate reality exists above and beyond the routine procedures of conscious, uninspired, everyday life. She feels cheated by an older generation that taught her to settle for nothing less than storybook finales, people who are disillusioned and restless and don't know why, people for whom life holds no easy answers. Great supporting cast includes John Forsythe, Teresa Wright, Lloyd Bridges, Shirley Jones, Bobby Darin, Tina Louise, Dick Shawn, and Nanette Fabray.

The triumphs and failures of middle age as seen through the eyes of runaway American housewife Mary Wilson (Jean Simmons), a woman who believes that ultimate reality exists above and beyond the routine procedures of conscious, uninspired, everyday life. She feels cheated by an older generation that taught her to settle for nothing less than storybook finales, people who are disillusioned and restless and don't know why, people for whom life holds no easy answers. Great supporting cast includes John Forsythe, Teresa Wright, Lloyd Bridges, Shirley Jones, Bobby Darin, Tina Louise, Dick Shawn, and Nanette Fabray.

Tech specs

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by ricbigi9 / 10

One of my favorite films

When I first saw THE HAPPY ENDING, back in 1970, I was blown over by the film's sensitive portrayal of an unhappy housewife trying to decide what to do with her life. I took family and friends to see it and most people liked the film, finding it unusually frank as a portrayal of a failed marriage. I still find THE HAPPY ENDING very good. It is aesthetically rooted in the late sixties but that does not diminish its essential value. The all-star cast is excellent (Jean Simmons, John Forsythe, Teresa Wright, Nanette Fabray, Shirley Jones, Bobby Darin, Lloyd Bridges, Tina Louise) and Jean Simmons might have shared the Oscar with Maggie Smith that year. Both actresses deserved to receive acting honors for their respective roles. I love the jazzy music score by Michel Legrand; Marilyn & Alan Bergman's beautiful song-theme for the film is a perennial favorite of mine as far as romantic songs are concerned. All in all, I will always have a special place in my heart for THE HAPPY ENDING.

Reviewed by jjnxn-18 / 10

Watch it for Jean's superior work

Jean Simmons makes this compelling viewing. The back-story of the film is that director Richard Brooks, Simmons husband at the time, was concerned and aware of Jean's alcoholism and designed the picture not only as a showcase for her prestigious talent, rewarded with an Oscar nomination, but hopefully a wakeup call for her. It didn't work immediately and eventually helped destroy their marriage but she was able to eventually conquer her demons and live sober until the end of her life. The film itself is a scatter-shot affair what with its frequent flashbacks and fragmented nature but does have a beautiful score and excepting Bobby Darin very good supporting work. Shirley Jones is notable in particular in the smallish role of an old college chum of Jean's. The ending is beautifully done, simple and true.

Reviewed by tavm9 / 10

Jean Simmons gives a funny and thoughtful performance in The Happy Ending

Jean Simmons portrays a woman feeling trapped in a routine marriage to John Forsythe as she depends on drink, drugs, and the romanticism of classic movies to keep her sanity. I'll stop there and just say that I found this quite a compelling drama full of cynical humor addressing the personal problems of many middle-aged women feeling restless during the late-'60s concerning their desirability and satisfaction of their lot in life. And many of the supporting roles of the fairer sex like those of Nanette Fabray, Teresa Wright, Tina Louise, and especially Shirley Jones hit the right notes in their respective characterizations. And while those roles of Forsythe, Lloyd Bridges, and Robert (Bobby) Darin seem to be afterthoughts compared to the ladies, they also provide some fine moments when showcased. And I loved the way Michel Legrand's score provides a mix of musical genres at the beginning as they overlap and also his song with Alan and Marilyn Bergman, "What are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?" being sung during some parts. In summary, Richard Brooks' The Happy Ending is a powerful examination of the way certain women start to feel stifled after a certain age.